May 2016
I know this is a
repeat but I LOVE the content… A great reminder
EVERY YEAR!
Families First of Pella
"Mom, I'm Bored -There's Nothing to Do"
by Elaine M. Gibson
Some children find it difficult to adjust to the unstructured days of summer vacation. They are immediately "bored" and turn to adults to tell them what
to do. That is, after all, what they have been during
for the last nine months. Children can easily slip into a
routine of watching television and moaning, "There's
nothing to do."
These words can be like fingernails on a chalkboard.
When faced with the prospect of bored children,
parents can feel overwhelmed.
First idea: Find every summer camp and program
available. If we could schedule these kids from 7 am
to 9 pm in some sort of activity, problem solved. The
problem however, is not one of finding enough activities, the real problem belongs to the child, not the
parents.
Boredom should be a stimulus for change, for invention. Unless a child is left to struggle with boredom, he or she will never tap that inner source of
creativity. Every child can think of something to do if
it is a necessity. They may need some guidance in
finding acceptable alternatives, but children need to
practice being creative.
How Parents Can Help
Turn off the TV or at least restrict viewing time.
1.Children, like adults, use television as a
substitute for thinking and doing. Television
has become a quick fix for boredom and is
addictive for many people. If denied this
alternative to actually doing, children will
eventually come up with their own activities.
2.
Provide a few basic ingredients for action.
3.
Parents can guide without becoming
playmates. Children of all ages need books,
art supplies, and writing materials of their
very own

play materials appropriate to their stage
of development.

This need not be a major expense. Remember what fun giant cardboard boxes, dirt
holes, and water sprinklers can be in the
summer time.

sources for ideas

There are hundreds of books in the
library and bookstores full of good ideas for
children's activities. Parents can read about
activities for younger non-readers and readers can be allowed to choose their own activities.
The Bored Game
Even with the TV off and a house full of potential
projects and activities, every child will attempt the
"bored game" with an available parent.




The game starts with the child saying, "I'm
bored, there's nothing to do."
The parent is both amazed (since the kid's room
is full of things to do, a new tree house is in the
back yard, and forty kids are playing on the
front lawn) and annoyed.
The parent then says, "What do you mean you're
bored! Why can't you play with ......etc."
Or the parent offers suggestions of what the
child can do.

If the child really wants suggestions, he or
she will take the first ideas and run off to play.

If the child wants to play the "bored
game", the child will find a reason not to like
ANY and EVERY suggestion.
"No, that's not any good."
"That's not fun."
"I don't want to do
that."
How NOT to Play the Bored
Game
If the parent offers a few suggestions in good faith
and they are rejected, the best thing to do is disengage.
Say "I'm sure you will think of something. You are
a clever child."
Then do nothing. There is no need for lectures or
arguments. Refuse to play the game and put the responsibility squarely where it belongs, on the child. If
necessary, repeat "I'm sure you will think of something."
If parents refuse to play the game, children will complain and whine and accuse the parent of "not caring".
The parent simply ignores all of the complaining,
whining, and accusations until the child gets bored
with the game and moves on to something that is
more fun.
One word of caution, creative children are much more
demanding than children who watch television eight
hours a day. If children are allowed to be creative,
they need supervision. They forget the house rules
and they will come up with activities that are not
acceptable.
Parents need to encourage children to ask permission
or at least notify the parents of the "neat thing to
do" before actually doing it. Modifications may be
necessary for the protection of children or property.
And remember,
Boredom is nature's way of saying, "Think of something to do."
Don’t forget to check out our
website! www.familiesfirstofpella.org
Love and Logicism
More is not always better. Exciting, entertaining activities are great fun, but
wise parents also know that quiet
times are just as important!
Families First Contact Information:
Jodi Bokhoven, Director
(641) 628-8331 or
[email protected]
Erin Heeren, Financial Coordinator
(616) 299-7869 or
[email protected]